Ash-sifter and coal-scuttle



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KATE E. SHEPPARD, OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NENV YORK.

ASH-SIFTER AND COAL-SCUTTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,815, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed January 19, 1889. Serial No. 296,820. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, KATE E. SHEPPARD, of Saratoga Springs, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Combined Ash-Sifter and Coal-Scuttle; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

My invention has for its obj ect to facilitate the removal of ashes from stoves, &c., and the separation of the cinders therefrom without an escape of dust into the apartment in which the device is used while utilizing an ordinary coal-scuttle for the purpose.

It consists in the combination, with -the scuttle, of a counterpart pail or ash-sifter covered by a lid and having a perforated bottom, and which is adapted to drop into the upper end of the scuttle, so as to completely close it with a dust-proof joint, and in devices for shaking the bottom of the sifter without opening it or uncovering the scuttle, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved ashsifting pail; Fig. 2, a similar view of the coalscuttle into which the sifter is to be fitted for use; Fig. 3, a vertical central section of the scuttle and sifter combined in readiness for use; Fig. 4, a similar section illustrating a modification in the construction of the sifter, and Fig. 5 a transverse section of the siftingail. p A represents an open-topped coal-scuttle of the ordinary form and construction, but preferably made deeper than those in general use.

B is an open-bottomed pail of a depth equal to from one-third to one-half the depth of the scuttle A, and which is made to fit closely and accurately within the upper part thereof, so that the upper rim of the pail will rest upon or coincide with the upper rim of the scuttle and its body make a close joint with the inner surface of the scuttle, to prevent all escape of dust between the two.

The bottom of the pail B is covered with a wire screen or perforated plate 0, Fig. 3, to serve as a sifter, and it is covered by a lid, one section of which D is fixed to the pail and fitted with a handle E, by which the pail may be lifted, and the other F hinged to permit of being opened to receive the ashes and discharge the cinders.

The hinged. lid F is fastened when the sifter is inserted in the scuttle by means of a hinged or flexible catch G, adapted to engage a button H on the front rim of the scuttle.

In the use of the device thus simply c011- structed the sifting-pail B is inserted into the scuttle A, so that its sides are completely inclosed and embraced by the scuttle, the joint between the two being rendered practically tight and dust-proof by reason of the inward inclination or taper of the two vessels. The ashes from the stove may then be.placed by means of a shovel into the sifting-pail, with but little escape of dust, by opening the lid F of the sifter long enough only each time to admit of the deposit of the ashes, the hinged connection of the lid permitting it to close automatically so soon as released and to be readily opened as required. WVhen the ashes have thus been placed in the sifter, they may be quickly separated from the cinders by simply shaking or rocking the scuttle A, the lid of the sifter being fastened down by means of the catch G, to prevent any escape of dust therefrom. After the ashes have been thus sifted the sifting-pail maybe lifted out of the scuttle H, the cinders therein returned to the stove, and the pail then hung up or stood away until again needed, leaving the scuttle in condition for its customary use.

To facilitate still further the sifting of the ashes, I form the perforated bottom or screen 0 in the sifting-pail of a loose detached piece, to be supported at the bottom of the pail upon an inwardly-projecting rim 1 encircling the same, (see Fig. 4E) and confine and guide it above said rim by means of a series of lateral vertical straps M M, fastened to the inner face and rim of the bottom of the pail to embrace the rim of said perforated screen 0', the straps being long enough to permit a limited vertical play of the screen under them. The screen, thus adjusted to admit of vertical play, is reciprocated vertically at pleasure by means of two vertical rods N N, attached thereto at diametrically opposite points, preferably by means of a forked connection P P, as shown in Fig. 4, and these rods, being extended upward through the lid of the siftingpail B, are united to form a handle N, as shown in 5, by means of which the perforated bottom may be oscillated without opening the pail, so as to sift the ashes placed therein.

This improved sifter and scuttle is especially adapted for useby persons living in small apartments who have not access to an open yard, as it enables them to sift the ashes in their rooms and thereby save the cinders, without dust or dirt, and by reason of the convenient self-closing lid which permits the pail to be instantly closed after the deposit of each shovelful therein, to avoid largely, also, the dust usually occasioned in simply removing the ashes from the stove into an ordinary open-top scuttle.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the open-topped coal-scuttle A,havin g flaring sides, of the ashsifter B, provided with the fixed cover I), the hinged cover F, the handle E on said fixed cover, and the perforated bottom or screen (1,

and having flaring sides to conform to and closely fit within the top of the scuttle and cover the same with a tight joint, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination, with the open-topped coal-scuttle A, having flaring sides, of the counterpart ash-sitter B, conforming to and fitting with a close joint within the open top of the scuttle and provided with the fixed cover D, the hinged cover F, the verticallyreeiprocating bottom screen 0, the lateral straps M, guiding the screen and limiting its play, and the handle N, projecting up through the fixed cover D, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KATE E. SHEPPARD.

\Vitncsses:

A. N. JESBERA, E. M. W ATSON. 

